MedMates event to shine spotlight on R.I. health-tech startups

MedMates, a health care technology network created to encourage collaboration within and strengthen Rhode Island’s health-tech ecosystem, will hold its first event of the year on Thursday to bring together early stage startups with industry mentors.

MedMates event to shine spotlight on R.I. health-tech startups

THE MEDMATES health care technology network group will kick off its 2014 agenda with a Thursday event designed to bring early-stage health-tech startups together with experienced investors and entrepreneurs willing to mentor them.

PROVIDENCE – MedMates, a health care technology network created to encourage collaboration within and strengthen Rhode Island’s health-tech ecosystem, will hold its first event of the year on Thursday to bring together early stage startups with industry mentors.

The event, “For the Love of Entrepreneurship,” will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the Rhode Island School of Design’s Chace Center at 20 North Main St. in Providence and is free and open to the public.

MedMates said in a release that the event would kick off the group’s 2014 agenda to work toward building an “entrepreneurial launchpad” through recruiting talented mentors in the health-tech space and helping to shape future public policy.

“As an organization, we want Rhode Island’s startup community to know they have resources close at hand and a willing community of experienced entrepreneurs and investors who can guide them on the path to emerging from early stage startups into robust organizations,” said Steve Lane, co-founder and chief venture officer of Ximedica and a co-founder of MedMates. “This first event of 2014 will highlight the future of our state and the innovators in our midst while also generating robust dialog about the trends that are shaping how we conduct business.”

During the event, a panel of experienced investors and entrepreneurs will discuss key steps to find success as a health tech startup, including strategies for funding a new venture, what to look for when structuring a deal, building a startup team, working with co-founders and managing risk.

Daniel Behr, president and co-founder of HotHouse Medical and managing partner of Seed Partners & Venture Synthesis will moderate the panel.

In addition to the panel discussion, more than 20 companies and entrepreneurs are expected to participate in the presentations segment of the event, during which they will pitch their business ideas to potential mentors and investors.

Companies presenting will include 3PrimeDx, a biotech company developing a blood test to predict sudden death risk; LabCloud, a web-based platform that integrates with lab functions to allow for more efficient research decision-making; the Food Innovation Nexus, which develops products at the intersection of food and medicine; and CREMedical Corp., a medical device startup specializing in diagnostic and therapeutic devices for brain diseases.

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